Apparatus for attaching a strip to a sheet



APrii 7, 1964 c. M. CUMMINGS APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING A STRIP TO A SHEETFiled Feb. 6. 1961 6 9 m 6 3 S E 2 2 9 1" G N Rm R OM O 5 5 M T 3 a mm M6 O V G 2 M w B m W O F 9 m l 3 M 2 2 3 4 8 3 2 5 m G Y F United StatesPatent 3,128,219 APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING A STRIP TO A SHEET Carl M.Cummings, 725 S. Maple, Montehello, Calif. Filed Feb. 6, 1961, Ser. No.87,193 Claims. (Cl. 156--584) This invention relates to apparatus foruse in attaching a strip along a marginal edge of a rectangular sheet,and has particular usefulness in connection with the attachment of anadhesive correction strip to the marginal edge of a sheet of papercarrying certain data or indicia. This invention will be described inconnection with the attachment of paper correction strips to themarginal edges of bank checks but it is to be understood that this isonly by way of illustration and not of limitation.

Bank checks are now commonly provided with certain indicia printed inmagnetic ink in order that the checks may be automatically sorted byelectronic devices. Electronic sorting and processing of bank checkseliminates a great deal of work formerly accomplished manually, but suchelectronic devices are not entirely faultless in operation. If themagnetic ink imprinting on the check should be damaged by folding of thecheck or by abrasion of the ink indicia or for any other reason, thecheck may not be processed in a proper fashion by the machine.Experience has shown that perhaps one in one hundred checks does notpass properly through the electronic sorting and processing equipment.Although the percentage of defective checks in any large group isordinarily very low, nevertheless, the large number of checks involvedin present day sorting operations produces a considerable number ofdefective checks in a single days operation.

It has been the practice manually to apply an overla ping strip of paperalong one marginal edge of each defective check and then to re-applysuitable magnetic ink indicia to the portion of the attached strip whichprojects beyond the marginal boundary of the check. The check with theattached strip is then sent through the electronic sorting machine asecond time. Since the magnetic ink indicia on the strip is in goodcondition, the check ordinarily clears the machine on the second tripWithout incident. However, it is essential that the adhesive coating ofthe strip be completely covered by the check so that no adhesive isexposed. Any exposed adhesive coating material may be scraped off byparts of the electronic sorting apparatus and cause considerabletrouble. Moreover, the leading edge of the strip must be accuratelyaligned with the adjacent leading edge of the check since properalignment of the check within the electronic sorting and processingdevices requires this relationship.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide adevice for facilitating the attachment of a strip of paper along amarginal edge of a bank check in overlapping relationship. Anotherobject is to provide a device of this type which automatically alignsthe chec with the strip to insure that no part of the adhesive surfaceon the strip is exposed after the attachment is complete.

Another object is to provide such a device which aligns the edges of thecheck and strip in the desired relationship.

Another object is to provide a device of this type which is easy tooperate and which is not apt to get out of order.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view partly broken away showing a preferredembodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation.

3,128,219 Patented Apr. 7, 1964 FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken substantially on the lines 33 as shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an elevation partly broken away showing the back side of thedevice.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional detail showing how manual pressure isapplied to cause the check to adhere to the strip in overlappingrelationship.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the manner of removingthe strip laterally as a unit with the check.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic perspective view showing how the strip with itsadhesive coating is separated from the carrier tape.

FIGURE 8 shows a check having a strip attached to a marginal edge, thestrip being applied to the under side of the check.

FIGURE 9 shows a check having a strip attached to a marginal edge, thestrip being applied to the top surface of the check.

Referring to the drawings, a base generally designated 19 is preferablyformed of metal and includes a lower supporting flange 11, an uprightweb 12 and a table 13. A groove 14 is formed in the upper surface 15 ofthe table 13 and extends for the full length of the table 13. Astationary guide bar 16 is affixed to the table 13 and projectslaterally over a portion of the groove 14. The guide bar 16 has an edge17 adapted to be contacted by a marginal edge 13 of a rectangular bankcheck 19.

A strip of paper as is slidably received in the groove 14 and this strip2h carries an adhesive coating 21 on one surface thereof and near onemarginal edge. This coating 21 is positioned so that it does not extendunder the guide bar 16 but on the contrary is exposed between the edge17 and the upper surface 15 of the table 13. An edge stop 23 is affixedto the table 13 and aligned with an abutment 24 fixed in the groove 14.The leading end of the strip 26 contacts the abutment 24 and the leadingedge of the bank check 19 contacts the edge stop 23. In this manner theend of the strip 20 is accurately aligned with the leading edge of thecheck 19.

Means are provided for projecting the strip 20 longitudinally into thegroove 14; and, as shown in the drawings, this means includes acontinuous carrier tape 26 contained on a reel assembly 27 mounted onthe base web 12. A plurality of adhesive coated strips 20 are carried bythe tape 26 in serial relation. Each strip 20 has the same length as thelength of the check 19 to which it is to be attached. The lengths ofstrips 20 are attached to the carrier tape 26 by means of the adhesivecoating 21. A space 2011 is provided between adjacent ends of the strips20 mounted on the carrier tape 26.

The table 13 is provided with an inclined slot 29 which furnishes apassage for the carrier tape 26 and its attached strip lengths 20. Thisinclined slot 29 communicates with the groove 14 in the table 13. Aplate 25 is removably fixed to the table 13 and forms the lower edge ofthe passage 29. One end of the plate 28 terminates flush with the groove14 and the other end lies in close proximity to the roller 30. Thecarrier tape 26 and strip lengths 20 pass from the reel assembly 27 overthe roller 36 mounted to turn on a stationary post 31 fixed to the baseweb 12. A transverse element 33 in the form of a roller is mounted atone end of a bracket 34 fixed to the table by means of fasteners 35. Thecarrier tape 26 passes around the roller 33 and is doubled back over thebracket 34 and under the retainer 36 fixed to the bracket. The carrierstrips 20 do no pass around the roller 33 but extend in the groove 14under the guide bar 16.

From the above description, it will be understood that when theprojecting portion of the carrier tape 26 is grasped manually at theright-hand end of the table 13, as viewed in FIGURE 3, and is tensionedto pull the tape 26 over the roller 33, the effect is to project thestrip 20 longitudinally to the left within the groove 14-. When theleading end of the strip 20 strikes the abutment 24 no further tensionis applied manually to the tapes 26. A blank check 19 is then placed onthe upper surface 15 of the table with its marginal edge 18 in contactwith the edge 17 of the guide bar 16 and with its leading edge incontact with the edge stop 23. The bank check 19 may be placed on thetable 13 either before or after the strip 20 is projected longitudinallyinto position in the groove 14. Manual pressure may then be applied asshown in FIGURE to cause the pressure-sensitive adhesive coating tosecure the strip 20 to the check 19. The check 19 may then be manuallylifted as shown in FIG- URE 6, and the check 19 and strip 20 withdrawnlaterally from the slot 14 as a unit. The check 19 with the strip 20attached then has the appearance shown in FIGURE 8. The magnetic inkindicia may then be applied to the strip 20 and the check, with stripattached, may be sent through the electronic sorting equipment, notshown.

In the event that the sorting equipment should require that the strip 20be attached to the front face of the check 19 as shown in FIGURE 9, theedge stop 23 is removed and an edge stop 25 shown in phantom lines inFIGURE 1 is installed. In this latter instance, the right-hand edge ofthe check 19 is placed in contact with the stop 25 and with the marginaledge 18 in contact with the guide bar 16. Since the strips 20 are cutaccurately to length, the rear end of the strip will be aligned veryaccurately with the portion of the edge stop 25 which is contacted bythe check 19 when the forward end of the strip 20 engages the abutment24. In all other respects, the operation of the device is similar tothat previously described.

The extensions 38 and 39 which are attached to the table 13 are notessential to proper functioning of the device, but provide convenientsurfaces for supporting of checks.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I amnot to be limited to the details herein set forth, but that my inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for use in transferring strips from a roll of carriertape to attach each strip to a marginal edge of a rectangular sheet inoverlapping relationship, the carrier tape having a plurality of thestrips serially attached thereto, each strip having an adhesive coatingon One surface thereof, the combination of: a base having a tablethereon, means on the base for supporting the roll of carrier tape, aguide element fixed to said base, an edge stop fixed on said tablewhereby a rectangular sheet may be placed on said table with saidmarginal edge aligned by said guide element and with another edge of thesheet contacting said edge stop, the strips each being movablelongitudinally on said table with the adhesive coating on each stripexposed, means on the base forming a passage for said carrier tape andstrips thereon, a transverse element mounted on said base adjacent thetable and at one end of said passage, the carrier tape alone passingaround said transverse element, whereby manual force applied to tensionthe carrier tape about the said transverse element is effective toseparate a strip from the carrier tape and to project the striplongitudinally on said table.

2. In a device for use in transferring strips from a roll of carriertape to attach each strip to a marginal edge of a rectangular sheet inoverlapping relationship, the carrier tape having a plurality of thesestrips serially attached thereto, each strip having an adhesive coatingon one surface thereof, the combination of: a base having a tableprovided with a groove, means on the base for supporting the roll ofcarrier tape, a guide element fixed to said base and overlying alongitudinal portion of said groove, an edge stop fixed on said tablewhereby a rectangular sheet may be placed on said table with saidmarginal edge aligned by said guide element and with another edge of thesheet contacting said edge stop, the strips each being movablelongitudinally into said groove with the adhesive coating on each stripexposed between said table and said guide bar, means on the base forminga passage communicating with one end of said groove, a transverseelement mounted on said base at the junction of said passage and saidgroove, the carrier tape and the strips thereon passing through saidpassage and the carrier tape alone passing around said transverseelement, whereby manual force applied to tension the carrier tape aboutsaid transverse element is effective to separate a strip from thecarrier tape and to project the strip longitudinally into said groove.

3. In a device for use in transferring strips from a roll of carriertape to attach each strip to a marginal edge of a rectangular sheet inoverlapping relationship, the carrier tape having a plurality of thestrips serially attached thereto, each strip having an adhesive coatingon one surface and adjacent one edge thereof, the combination of: a basehaving a table provided with a groove to receive the strip, means on thebase for supporting the roll of carrier tape, the depth of the groovebeing such that the adhesive coating on the strip in the groove liessubstantially flush with the surface of said table, a guide bar fixed tosaid table and overlapping a longitudinal portion of said groove, anedge stop fixed on said table whereby a rectangular sheet may be placedon said table with said marginal edge aligned by said guide bar and withanother edge of the sheet contacting said edge stop, the strips eachbeing movable longitudinally into said groove with said adhesive coatingon each strip exposed between the table and said guide bar, means on thebase forming a passage communicating with one end of said groove, atransverse element mounted on said base at the junction of said passageand said groove, the carrier tape and the strips thereon passing throughsaid passage and the carrier tape alone passing around said transverseelement, whereby manual force applied to tension the carrier tape aboutsaid transverse element is effective to separate a strip from thecarrier tape and to project the strip longitudinally into said groove.

4. In a device for use in transferring strips from a roll of carriertape to attach each strip to a marginal edge of a rectangular sheet inoverlapping relationship, the carrier tape having a plurality of thestrips serially attached thereto, each strip having an adhesive coatingon one surface thereof, the combination of: a base having a tablethereon, means on the base for supporting the roll of carrier tape, aguide element fixed to said base, an edge stop fixed on said tablewhereby a rectangular sheet may be placed on said table with saidmarginal edge aligned by said guide element and with another edge of thesheet contacting said edge stop, the strips each being movablelongitudinally on said table with the adhesive coating on each stripexposed, means on the base forming a passage for said carrier tape andstrips thereon, a transverse element mounted on said base adjacent thetable and at one end of said passage, the carrier tape alone passingaround said transverse element, retainer means on the base overlying aportion of the carrier tape extending from said transverse element,whereby manual force applied to tension the carrier tape about the saidtransverse element is elfective to separate a strip from the carriertape and to project the strip longitudinally on said table.

5. In a device for use in transferring strips from a roll of carriertape to attach each strip to a marginal edge of a rectangular sheetoverlapping relationship, the carrier tape having a plurality of thesestrips serially attached thereto, each strip having an adhesive coatingon one surface thereof, the combination of: a base having a tableprovided with a groove, means on the base for supporting the roll ofcarrier tape, a guide element fixed to said base and overlying alongitudinal portion of said groove, an edge stop fixed on said tablewhereby a rectangular sheet may be placed on said table with saidmarginal edge aligned by said guide element and with another edge of thesheet 5 contacting said edge stop, the strips each being movablelongitudinally into said groove with the adhesive coating on each stripexposed between said table and said guide bar, means on the base forminga passage communicating with one end of said groove, a transverseelement mounted on said base at the junction of said passage and saidgroove, the carrier tape and the strips thereon passing through saidpassage and the carrier tape alone passing around said transverseelement, retainer means on the said transverse element, whereby manualforce applied to tension the carrier tape about said transverse elementis effective to separate a strip from the carrier tape and to projectthe strip longitudinally into said groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,467,595 Westling Sept. 11, 1923 2,165,540 Engel July 11, 19392,569,140 Avery Sept. 25, 1951

1. IN A DEVICE FOR USE IN TRANSFERRING STRIPS FROM A ROLL OF CARRIERTAPE TO ATTACH EACH STRIP TO A MARGINAL EDGE OF A RECTANGULAR SHEET INOVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP, THE CARRIER TAPE HAVING A PLURALITY OF THESTRPIS SERIALLY ATTACHED THERETO, EACH STRIP HAVING AN ADHESIVE COATINGON ONE SURFACE THEREOF, THE COMBINATION OF: A BASE HAVING A TABLETHEREON, MEANS ON THE BASE FOR SUPPORTING THE ROLL OF CARRIER TAPE, AGUIDE ELEMENT FIXED TO SAID BASE, AN EDGE STOP FIXED ON SAID TABLEWHEREBY A RECTANGULAR SHEET MAY BE PLACED ON SAID TABLE WITH SAIDMARGINAL EDGE ALIGNED BY SAID GUIDE ELEMENT AND WITH ANOTHER EDGE OF THESHEET CONTACTING SAID EDGE STOP, THE STRIPS EACH BEING MOVABLELONGITUDINALLY ON SAID TABLE WITH THE ADHESIVE COATING ON EACH STRIPEXPOSED, MEANS ON THE BASE FORMING A PASSAGE FOR SAID CARRIER TAPE ANDSTRIPS THEREON, A TRANSVERSE ELEMENT MOUNTED ON SAID BASE ADJACENT THETABLE AND AT ONE END OF SAID PASSAGE, THE CARRIER TAPE ALONE PASSINGAROUND SAID TRANSVERSE ELEMENT, WHEREBY MANUAL FORCE SUPPLIED TO TENSIONTHE CARRIER TAPE ABOUT THE SAID TRANSVERSE ELEMENT IS EFFECTIVE TOSEPARATE A STRIP FRO THE CARRIER TAPE AND TO PROJECT THE STRIPLONGITUDINALLY ON SAID TABLE.